Get on the path to results with Gomez & Palumbo, your immigration specialists!
Our Practice
Additional Information
Gómez & Palumbo Law specializes in Immigration Law and the representation of both immigrants and non-immigrants in immigration matters. Our team of skilled and experienced professionals will provide with you with the transparent and honest legal representation you require. Our legal expertise and professional drive will ensure you unparalleled legal representation.
Our vision and mission are to provide our clients with personalized service to fit their personal needs. Immigrants are vulnerable because they do not always understand the system of law in this foreign nation and we are here to help them in their journey to obtain legal status, to change status, to obtain naturalization or citizenship, represent them in immigration court and to help them keep their legal status when they are in jeopardy of losing it or facing removal proceeding.
Did you know?
Contrary to popular perception, less than half (46 percent) of all immigrants in the United States are Hispanic or Latino. Roughly one-fifth of all immigrants are non-Hispanic white (19.2 percent), about 8 percent are black, and just over a quarter (26.3 percent) are Asian or of some other race/ethnicity.
MEET THE PARTNERS
Zoila M. Gomez
Attorney Zoila Marisol Gomez founded the Law Office of Zoila Gomez in 2006 after obtaining and JD from Massachusetts School of Law and her license to practice law from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
Tania M. Martinez
Tania Palumbo joined the firm in 2009 as an associate after admission into the Massachusetts bar. Tania concentrates her practice on immigration issues before U.S.
MEET THE ASSOCIATES
Katharine Margarita González Montalbano, Esq.
Katharine joined the Gomez & Palumbo team in 2017 as an Associate Attorney. As the daughter of a Guatemalan immigrant, Katharine has, from a young age, appreciated and understood the extraordinary opportunities which the United States has to offer, and has always been inspired by her own father’s work ethic and pursuit of the American Dream. Katharine lived in Guatemala during her childhood and adolescence and attended part of elementary school, middle school and high school there, allowing her to master fluency in oral and written Spanish as well as view firsthand the very real struggles many Latin Americans face which often fuel their difficult decisions to leave their native countries.
While in law school, Katharine worked in the Asylum & Human Rights Clinic, and represented a physician from Chad in his affirmative application for asylum. Katharine thereafter served as a legal intern at the Executive Office for Immigration Review in Boston, Massachusetts. Katharine’s background and experience abroad uniquely position her to compassionately and zealously advocate for immigrants while helping them navigate complex immigration laws. Katharine’s practice focuses on deportation defense, as well as affirmative benefits before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) such as Naturalization, Asylum and Green Cards based on Marriage.
Education
University of Connecticut School of Law (J.D.)
CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Lawyering Process
Connecticut Public Interest Law Journal, Senior Associate Editor
Assumption College (B.A.), summa cum laude
Bar Admissions
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (2009)
Professional Memberships
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
Petronila “Petra” Veras-Rizwan, Esq.
Petronila “Petra” Veras-Rizwan joined the Gomez and Palumbo team March of 2020 as an Associate Attorney. Petra is a first-generation Dominican American with a deep understanding and appreciation for the immigrant community. Petra learned early on to speak for those that cannot speak for themselves. Petra’s passion and drive derives from seeing her own family struggle through the immigration system. In 2004, Petra saw her own brother, who spent his entire life in the United States, deported to the Dominican Republic. Before Petra’s family could even hire an attorney to represent his brother, he had been deported without reasoning.
Petra has shown determination and resilience both in court and in her personal life. After graduating from high school, Petra became a single mother. Being a single mother did not deter Petra’s ambition and drive to accomplish her childhood dream of practicing law. Petra worked full time as a paralegal while she attended Northern Essex Community College and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. While attending the Massachusetts School Law at Andover, Petra worked full time as an administrative assistant for the Committee for Public Counsel Service Youth Advocacy Division in addition to raising her family.
Petra began practicing immigration law after her admission into the Massachusetts bar and has been a zealous advocate for immigrants before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Education
Massachusetts School of Law at Andover (J.D.)
CALI-Academic Achievement Award-District Court Trial Procedure
Southern New Hampshire University (M.S.)
University of Massachusetts-Lowell (B.L.A)
Northern Essex Community College (A.A.)
Bar Admission
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
(2016)
Massachusetts Federal District Court
(2017)
Professional Memberships
America Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys (MAHA)
Petronila "Petra" Veras-Rizwan se unió al equipo de Gómez y Palumbo en marzo de 2020 como abogada asociada. Petra es una dominicana de primera generación con un profundo entendimiento y aprecio por la comunidad inmigrante. Petra aprendió desde el principio a hablar por aquellos que no pueden hablar por sí mismos. La pasión y el impulso de Petra se derivan de ver la lucha de su propia familia a través del sistema de inmigración. En 2004, Petra vio a su propio hermano, que pasó toda su vida en los Estados Unidos, deportado a la República Dominicana. Antes de que la familia de Petra pudiera contratar a un abogado para representar a su hermano, había sido deportado sin razonamiento.
Petra ha demostrado determinación y resistencia tanto en la corte como en su vida personal.
Después de graduarse de la escuela secundaria, Petra se convirtió en madre soltera. Ser madre soltera no disuadió la ambición y el impulso de Petra para lograr el sueño de su infancia de practicar leyes. Petra trabajó a tiempo completo como asistente legal mientras asistía al Northern Essex Community College y a la Universidad de Massachusetts Lowell. Mientras asistía a Massachusetts School of Law at Andover, Petra trabajó a tiempo completo como asistente administrativa de la División de Defensa Juvenil del Comité de Servicio de Asesoramiento Público además de criar a su familia.
Petra comenzó a practicar la ley de inmigración después de su admisión en el colegio de abogados de Massachusetts y ha sido una entusiasta defensora de los inmigrantes ante la Oficina Ejecutiva de Revisión de Inmigración, la Junta de Apelaciones de Inmigración y los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de EE. UU.
Educacion
Massachusetts School of Law at Andover (J.D.)
CALI-Academic Achievement Award-District Court Trial Procedure
Southern New Hampshire University (M.S.)
University of Massachusetts-Lowell (B.L.A)
Northern Essex Community College (A.A.)
Admision a Corte
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (2016)
Massachusetts Federal District Court (2017)
Afiliaciones Profesionales
America Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys (MAHA)
Meet the rest of the team
Branden Ladebush, Esq.
Branden is an Associate Attorney at Gomez & Palumbo who joined our team as a Legal Intern in January 2019. Following the completion of his internship, Branden continued his work at Gomez & Palumbo as a Law Clerk prior to passing the Massachusetts Bar Examination. In law school, Branden served on the executive board of the Immigration Law Association and the executive board of Outlaws, an LGBTQ+ legal organization. He additionally conducted research for The Center for International Law and Policy (CILP). Prior to joining Gomez & Palumbo Branden interned at the New Hampshire Public Defender and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office.
Branden received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University in 2016. During his time at Clark, Branden was able to work directly with the immigrant community through volunteering for the Immigration Legal Assistance Program at Ascentria Care Alliance in Worcester, Massachusetts. In Fall 2014, Branden studied International Law & Organizations at American University in Washington, DC. He additionally studied the Spanish Language and Culture in Madrid, Spain in the Fall of 2015. Branden speaks English and Spanish.
As descendent of immigrants, Branden has always believed the United States is a place that should open and welcome all. Branden’s practice includes representing clients before the Executive Office of Immigration Review, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Education
New England Law Boston (J.D.), Cum Laude
Certificate in Immigration Law
Certificate in Criminal Practice & Procedure
CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Criminal Procedure
New England Scholar Award for the 2018-2019 Academic Year
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Pro Bono Honor Roll
Clark University (B.A.), Cum Laude
American University (Certificate in International Law and Organizations)
Bar Admissions
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (2021)
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts (2021)
First Circuit Court of Appeals (2021)
Professional Memberships
Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association
The National LGBT Bar Association
Branden es un abogado asociado con la firma Gomez & Palumbo que se unió a nuestro equipo como pasante legal en enero del 2019. Después de completar su pasantía, Branden continuó su trabajo en Gomez & Palumbo como secretario legal antes de aprobar el examen de la barra de Massachusetts. En la facultad de derecho, Branden formó parte de la junta ejecutiva de la Asociación de Leyes de Inmigración y la junta ejecutiva de Outlaws, una organización legal LGBTQ +. Además, realizó una investigación para el Centro de Derecho y Política Internacional (CILP). Antes de unirse a Gomez & Palumbo, Branden hizo una pasantía en la Defensoría Pública de New Hampshire y en la oficina del Fiscal General de Massachusetts.
Branden recibió una Licenciatura en Ciencias Políticas con una concentración en Relaciones Internacionales de la Universidad de Clark en el 2016. Durante su tiempo en Clark, Branden pudo trabajar directamente con la comunidad de inmigrantes a través del voluntariado para el Programa de Asistencia Legal de Inmigración en Ascentria Care Alliance en Worcester, Massachusetts. En el otoño de 2014, Branden estudió Derecho Internacional y Organizaciones en la American University en Washington, DC. Además, estudió Lengua y Cultura Española en Madrid, España en el otoño de 2015. Branden habla inglés y español.
Como descendiente de inmigrantes, Branden siempre ha creído que Estados Unidos es un lugar que debería abrir y dar la bienvenida a todos. La práctica de Branden incluye la representación de clientes ante la Oficina Ejecutiva de Revisión de Inmigración y los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de EE. UU.
Educación
New England Law | Boston (J.D.), Cum Laude
Certificado en derecho de inmigración
Certificado en Práctica y Procedimiento Penal
Premio CALI Excelencia para el Futuro en Procedimiento Penal
Premio Académico de Nueva Inglaterra para el año académico 2018-2019
Cuadro de Honor Pro-Bono de la Corte Judicial Suprema de Massachusetts
Clark Univeristy (B.A.), Cum Laude
American University (Certificado en Derecho y Organizaciones Internacionales)
Admisiones a Corte
Commonwealth de Massachusetts (2021)
Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos, Distrito de Massachusetts (2021)
Tribunal de Apelaciones del Primer Circuito (2021)
Afiliaciones Profesionales
Asociación de Abogados LGBTQ de Massachusetts
La Asociación Nacional de Abogados LGBT
Juliana Durning, Paralegal
Juliana joined Gomez & Palumbo, LLC in June of 2019 after graduating from Occidental College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Diplomacy & World Affairs and a minor in Spanish Studies. Juliana’s maternal grandparents immigrated to the United States from Mexico. From a young age she witnessed the strength and pride of immigrants but also the challenges they face in this country. Immigrants are one of the most vulnerable populations and now more than ever they need representation and protection. She is grateful for the opportunity to do this work alongside such a compassionate and talented team. Juliana aspires to continue her education by attending law school and becoming a lawyer to continue work and advocacy for the immigrant community.
Español
Juliana inicio en Gómez y Palumbo en junio de 2019 después de graduarse de Occidental College con una Licenciatura en Diplomacia y Asuntos Mundiales y una especialización en Estudios de Español. Los abuelos maternos de Juliana emigraron a los Estados Unidos desde México. Desde muy joven ella fue testigo de la fortaleza y el orgullo de los inmigrantes, pero también de los desafíos que enfrentan en este país. Los inmigrantes son una de las poblaciones más vulnerables y ahora más que nunca necesitan representación y protección. Está agradecida por la oportunidad de trabajar junto a un equipo tan talentoso y compasivo.
Maria Aybar, Paralegal
Maria joined Gomez & Palumbo, LLC on March 2020 as a Paralegal. Maria is a native and immigrant from the Dominican Republic. Her passion towards immigrant’s rights advancement led her to Gomez & Palumbo to keep working toward that passion. Her service to the immigrant community extends to her community at large, where she volunteers as a grant writer for the Latinx Community Center for Empowerment (LCCE) based in Lowell, MA. She also serves as liaison between Lowell’s higher education institutions and Lowell’s Public High School, helping develop programs tailored to the necessities of DACA and undocumented students. Maria attended Middlesex Community College (MCC), where she pursued an associate degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences; History, Politics and Global Studies. She holds a dual bachelor’s degree of arts in Political Science and Latinx and Latin American Studies from Amherst College.
I her own words: The part of my job that I love the most is working with victims of domestic violence. I love that I can be a part of the process and witness how survivors of domestic violence regain agency, self-love and confidence throughout their legal process. It is a truly inspiring experience.
Español
Maria se unió a Gomez & Palumbo, LLC en marzo de 2020 como Paralegal. Maria es nativa e inmigrante de la República Dominicana. Su pasión por el avance de los derechos de los inmigrantes la llevó a Gómez y Palumbo a seguir trabajando hacia esa pasión. Su servicio a la comunidad inmigrante se extiende a su comunidad en general, donde es voluntaria como escritora de subvenciones para el Centro Comunitario para el Empoderamiento de Latinx (LCCE) con sede en Lowell, MA. También sirve como enlace entre las instituciones de educación superior de Lowell y la High School, ayudando a desarrollar programas adaptados a las necesidades de DACA y estudiantes indocumentados. María asistió al Middlesex Community College (MCC), donde obtuvo un título asociado en Artes y Ciencias Liberales; Historia, política y estudios globales. Tiene una doble licenciatura en Ciencias Políticas y Estudios Latinoamericanos de Amherst College.
En sus propias palabras: La parte de mi trabajo que más amo es trabajar con víctimas de violencia doméstica. Me encanta poder ser parte del proceso y ser testigo de cómo los sobrevivientes de violencia doméstica recuperan la , el amor propio y la confianza a lo largo de su proceso legal. Es una experiencia verdaderamente inspiradora.
Ciara Salazar, Office Manager
Ciara Salazar came to Gomez & Palumb, LLC in 2018, straight out of high school. She was young, but full of energy and an ability to take on responsibilities above and beyond those of a receptionist. She has since been promoted to the be the Office Manager. At her young age, she has taken on the responsability of managing all matters dealign with the hirinf process and she does it with a sense of pride and responsibility that is compared to none.
In her own words: There are no words to express the desire, I have to want to help others. I’ve always pictured myself changing the world in some way. With time I realized that the only way to change the world is to help one another. Living in these modern times we often turn a blind eye to those in need. That’s why I love my job at Gomez & Palumbo because I get to help people every day. I also love being part of such an important team. Being a woman in a female owned firm has to be one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in my life. I admire the hard work they put in day in and day out. I take pride in the work our office does.
Yeimi Hernandez-Ovalle, Receptionist
Yeimi joined Gomez & Palumbo, LLC in July of 2020 after graduating from Greater Lawrence Technical School. Yeimi’s parents immigrated to the United States from Guatemala. From a young age, she witnessed the strength and pride of immigrants but also the challenges they face in this country which inspired her to work with immigrants every day. Yeimi aspires to continue her education by majoring in the Business Field and is currently a part-time student at Northern Essex Community College while working full-time for the firm.
In her own words: I have passion for helping people and making a difference in their lives. It is easy making a difference in people’s lives when you care about them enough to contribute to their well being. It is important to be invested and see people in need who come across you and want to lend them a hand. Gomez & Palumbo, LLC; has given me that opportunity to work with immigrants to whom even the slightest gesture of caring means something to them because of their need and vulnerable state. I am grateful for the opportunity to help people in my position at the firm since I am the first person they hear from most of the time and having that compassion goes a long way.
